[Elecraft] Vanity Calls

[dyarnes]

Hi All,

My call (W7AQK) is designated as a vanity call even  though it is the original call assigned to me back in 1955.  Under past FCC rules, I had to give it up when I moved to a different call area.  That actually happened twice!  The first time I reacquired this call it cost me nothing!  FCC just reassigned it to me as a previous holder.  However, in the early 90’s, when I decided I wanted my original call again, and I was again in the 7th call district, I had to do so under the vanity program, and pay extra for it too!  Even renewals were subject to a special fee!  Now that has changed, thankfully.  However, I still somewhat resent the fact that my call is considered a vanity call, even though I am a previous holder of it, and also that, at one time, I would have been reissued this call by “rights”.  

While I’m grousing about “vanity” issues, our Arizona Department of Transportation allows me to have a “vanity” license plate with my call on it.  I pay an extra $25 for that, presumably to cover the cost of special processing.  However, I have to pay that same $25 every time I renew!  Why???  It doesn’t cost them anything extra once the plate has been made and issued!!!  Seems a bit unfair to me!

Dave W7AQK